Show ContentsEdwards History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Edwards Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Edwards

What does the name Edwards mean?

The Edwards surname is derived from the old English word "Eadweard" which means "prosperity guard." 1 Prior to the Norman Conquest of England, Edward was a common personal name; its popularity probably due to the fact that Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) had been the Patron Saint of England before Saint George.

Early Origins of the Edwards family

The surname Edwards was first found in Wiltshire where Edward of Salisbury, also known as Edward the Sheriff (of Wiltshire) held land at the time of the Domesday Survey. He was an ancestor of Earls of Salisbury.

The name appeared as Eaduuardus, Eduuardus, Eduuard in the Domesday Book. 2

Kirby's Quest of Somerset listed William Edward in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists: Adam Edward; Willelmus Edward, taylour; and Ricardus Edward. 4

Early History of the Edwards family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edwards research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1206, 1219, 1279, 1283, 1471, 1523, 1540, 1547, 1563, 1576, 1582, 1597, 1615, 1637, 1658, 1678, 1711, 1801 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Edwards History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edwards Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Edwards include Edwards, Edward, Edwardes and others.

Early Notables of the Edwards family

  • Humphrey Edwards (1582-1658), one of the regicides of King Charles I of England, attended Shrewsbury School in 1615, appointed a gentleman to King Charles I of England in 1637
  • Richard Edwardes, a native of Somersetshire, born in 1523. He was educated under George Etheridge, 'one of the most excellent vocal and instrumental musicians in England' -of whom however nothing more...
  • William Edwardes (circa 1711-1801), was made the 1st Baron Kensington; William Edward rose to become Lord Mayor of London in 1471; and Sir James Edwards was Lord Mayor of London in 1678

Edwards World Ranking

the United States, the name Edwards is the 49th most popular surname with an estimated 340,719 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Edwards is ranked the 110th most popular surname with an estimated 26,457 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Edwards is the 228th popular surname with an estimated 191 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Edwards as 27th with 49,795 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Edwards as 18th with 6,160 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Edwards as 17th with 123,074 people. 10 South Africa ranks Edwards as 726th with 9,444 people. 11

Migration of the Edwards family to Ireland

Some of the Edwards family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edwards migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Edwards or a variant listed above:

Edwards Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Edwards, who landed in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "George" 13
  • Arthur Edwards, who landed in Virginia in 1622 13
  • William Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 13
  • John Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1623 13
  • Richard Edwards, aged 23 who landed in Virginia in 1624 aboard the ship "Jacob" 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Edwards Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anne Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 13
  • Eliza Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 13
  • Walter Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 13
  • Benja Edwards, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 13
  • Hannah Edwards, who landed in Virginia in 1703 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Edwards Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David J Edwards, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1808 13
  • G Edwards, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 13
  • Edward Henry Edwards, aged 23, who landed in Ohio in 1812 13
  • Hayden Edwards, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1813 13
  • Haden Edwards, aged 16, who landed in Texas in 1829 13
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Edwards Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. James Edwards, (b. 1876), aged 24, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 25th March 1900 en route to Wakefield, Michigan, USA 14
  • Mr. William Charles Edwards, (b. 1865), aged 35, Cornish fireman travelling aboard the ship "Majestic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 20th September 1900 en route to Cleveland, Ohio, USA 14
  • Mr. Samuel R. Edwards, (b. 1825), aged 76, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Cymric" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 10th September 1901 en route to New York, USA 14
  • Mr. Richard Edwards, (b. 1873), aged 30, Cornish carpenter travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th June 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 14
  • Mr. John Edwards, (b. 1875), aged 28, English carpenter travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 14th June 1903 en route to Butte, Montana, USA 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards migration to Canada +

Edwards Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Joseph Edwards, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Joseph Edwards, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Thomas Edwards, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mr. Joseph Edwards U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 179 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 15
  • Mrs. Mary Edwards U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 327 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York 15
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Edwards Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Samuel Edwards, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • Betty Edwards, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
  • James G Edwards, who arrived in Canada in 1834
  • Mr. George Edwards, aged 32 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec but died on Grosse Isle on 29th June 1847 16
  • Mr. Henry Edwards, aged 24 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Charles Richard" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Edwards Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • I C Edwards, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Edwards migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet
  • Mr. Daniel Edwards, (b. 1769), aged 20, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 12
  • Mr. Daniel Edwards, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Miss Jane Edwards, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. Samuel Edwards, British settler convicted in Worcestershire, England in 1788, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
  • Mr. Thomas Edwards, (d. 1790), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1789, sentenced to Life for theft, transported aboard the ship "Scarborough" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 13
Second Fleet
  • Mr. Edward Edwards, (d. 1798), British settler convicted in Lancashire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. Francis Edwards, British settler convicted in Dorset, England in 1789, sentenced to Life for breaking and entry, transported aboard the ship "Atlantic" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mr. Joseph Edwards, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Mrs. Catherine Edwards, (1763 - 1818), aged 27, Irish settler convicted in Dublin, Ireland in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Queen" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
  • Miss Mary Ann Edwards, (1766 - 1833), aged 24, British settler convicted in Herefordshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing clothes, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 13
Third Fleet
  • Mr. William Edwards, (b. 1753), aged 34, English settler convicted in London on 15th January 1784, sentenced for 7 years for stealing clothing, transported aboard the ship "Friendship" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 13
Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Edwards Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Miss Margaret Edwards, (b. 1782), aged 16, English convict who was convicted in Shropshire, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1846 17
  • Miss Martha Edwards, (b. 1774), aged 24, English house servant who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1846 17
Edwards Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Miss Elizabeth Edwards, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Mr. James Edwards, British Convict who was convicted in Southampton, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Miss Mary Edwards, British Convict who was convicted in Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
  • Ms. Harriot Edwards, (b. 1782), aged 18, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 22nd March 1790, sentenced for life for stealing silver tea tongs, 6 gowns, and other goods, transported aboard the ship "Minorca" in June 1801 to New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. Thomas Edwards, (b. 1767), aged 34, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 20
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Edwards migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Edwards Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Edwards, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
  • Robert Edwards, who landed in Ohiro, New Zealand in 1840
  • Mr. Edwards, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 21
  • Mrs. Edwards, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 21
  • Child Edwards, Australian settler travelling from Port Phillip Bay, Victoria aboard the ship "Earl Stanhope" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 21
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Edwards Settlers in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • William Edwards, aged 25, a bricklayer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "S. S. Waimana" in 1926

Edwards migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 22
Edwards Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Robert Edwards, aged 38, who arrived in Barbados in 1635 13
  • Mr. Robert Edwards, (b. 1587), aged 48, British settler travelling aboard the ship "Expedition" arriving in Barbados in 1636 23
  • Abraham Edwards, who settled in Barbados in 1654

Contemporary Notables of the name Edwards (post 1700) +

  • Marshall Lynn Edwards (1952-2025), former professional baseball outfielder, played three seasons in the major leagues for the Milwaukee Brewers (1981-1983)
  • Jonathan "John" Edwards (1944-2025), professionally known as John Edwards, was an American soul singer, lead singer of the Spinners between 1977 and 2000
  • Alice E. Edwards (1920-6888), American lieutenant in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, first all-female, all-African-American battalion to server overseas
  • Annie Joe Edwards (1949-2025), American actress, known for Bullets Over Broadway, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Ain't Misbehavin'
  • Geraldine Edwards, American baseball player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player (1951)
  • Lee Willard Edwards (1932-2024), American academic and author and a fellow at The Heritage Foundation
  • John Reid Edwards (b. 1953), American Lawyer and Senator from North Carolina (1998-2005)
  • Earl Edwards (1946-2024), American NFL and CFL football player for the Edmonton Eskimos (1967-1968), San Francisco 49ers (1969-1972), Buffalo Bills (1973-1975), Cleveland Browns (1976-1978) and the Green Bay Packers (1979)
  • Robert Alan Edwards (1947-2024), American broadcast journalist
  • ... (Another 64 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Miss Elizabeth Jane Edwards (1949-1979), British teacher on exchange to Naenae University, Lower Hutt, North Island, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 24
  • Ms. Edna Miriam Edwards (d. 1979), New Zealander passenger, from Ponsonby, North Island, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash 25
  • Mr. George Edwards (d. 1914), Canadian Second Class Passenger from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 25
  • Mr. Christopher Edwards (1870-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Broadview, Saskatchewan, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 26
  • Mr. Daryl Edwards (1955-1996), aged 41, from Jersey City, New Jersey, USA, American off-duty TWA employee flying aboard Flight TWA 800 from J.F.K. Airport, New York to Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Rome when the plane crashed after takeoff ; he died in the crash 26
  • ... (Another 55 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
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  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  6. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  7. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. "Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
  12. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
  13. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  14. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  15. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  16. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 27)
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  19. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  20. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  21. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  23. Pilgrim Ship Lists Early 1600's retrieved 29th September 2021. Retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  24. Mount Erebus, Memorial, Roll of Remembrance (Retrieved 2018, February 21st). Retrieved from http://www.erebus.co.nz/memorialandawards/rollofremembrance.aspx
  25. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  26. The Washington Post Passenger List TWA Flight 800. (Retrieved 2018, February 15th). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/twa800/list01.htm

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